Musical instrument



April 14, 1942.

W. J. QWCZYNIKOW MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Original Filed Feb. 1, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet l T LI!!! 1 IIIT.

LIIIIIIIII INVENTORY WLAo/n/R J. ONCZ YN/KOW. BY

M ATTORNEYS.

, MUS ICAL INSTRUMENT Original Filed Feb. 1, 1935' 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ADIM/R' JOMCZY/VI/(UM T RNEYS.

April 14, 1942. w. .1. owczYNlKow MUS IGAL INSTRUMENT Original Filed Feb 1, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Oh/ Y/V/Kdw.

WLADIMIPJ.

ATTORNEYS.

April 1942- w. J. owczYmKow 2,279,637

MUS ICAL INSTRUMENT Original Filed Feb. 1, 1939 5 tst 4 INVENTOR. WLA 0mm J, OM62 Y/V/(OM A ORNEYS.

April 1942- w. J. OWCZYNIKOW 2,279,637

MUS ICAL- INSTRUMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Feb. 1, 1959 l I N H H GL4 I INVENTOR. \A/LAD'IMIPJOk/CZ YN/KON. BY

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 14, 1942 MUSIC-AL INSTRUMENT Wladimir J. Owczynilrow, Cleveland, Ohio Refiled for abandoned application Serial No. 254,033, February 1, 1939. This application May 1, 1941, Serial No. 391,393

7 Claims.

This invention relates to music boxes or musical instruments in which the sound producing bodies are preferably bells, and are operated by a pin on a playing tape to give forth musical tones in response to a predetermined relation of the pins on the tape.

An object of this invention is'to provide a musical instrument in which the playing means is an endless tape on which pins are suitably mounted and actuate hammers to percussively operate the sounding bells.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel means of arranging the pins on the playing tape to coact with the hammers to create the tune fixed by the arrangement of the pins on the playing tape.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for shifting the playing tape or member of the instrument to bring different sets of pins into operative positions and thereby enable the playing of different tunes or melodies.

A further object of the invention is to embody a novel locking means and shifting means for the playing tape.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel means of fastening the actuating pins to or in the playing tape.

The novel form of the hammers which strike the sounding bodies of the musical instrument provides an additional object of the invention.

For the purposes of illustration and to show the embodiment of the structure of my invention, reference is had to the following drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front view of a musical instrument showing the relationship between the bells and the sounding hammers and the location of the actuating tape mechanism as arranged in a framework.

- Figure 2 is a top view of the instrument showing the arrangement of the bells that are operated by the hammers in coaction with the playing tape.

Figure 3 is an end view showing more particularly the form of the musical instrument and the hammers in their relationship to the bells, and suitable driving means for operating the musical instrument by some power other than hand power.

Figure 4 is a View in section showing the relationship of the playing tape to the hammers and the mounting of the playing tape in its auxiliary frame. I

Figure 5 is a detail view of the auxiliary frame showing more particularly the mounting of the playing tape on the auxiliary rolls and the adjusting means for moving the auxiliary frame.

Figure 6 is an end View of the auxiliary frame, showing more particularly the locking means for maintaining the relationship of the auxiliary frame, in which the playing tape is mounted on the auxiliary drums.

Figure 7 is a detail View of the main or driving drum over which the playing tape travels.

Figure 8 is a general view of the secondary drum.

Figure 9 is a detail side view of one of the actuating hammers showing certain particular arrangement and mounting of the hammer.

Figure 10 is a detail front view showing more particularly an abutment pin and the method of mounting on a hammer.

Figure 11 is a detail side view of the secondary set of hammers and the means for operating the hammers by the actuating abutment pins.

Figure 12 is a detail front view showing more particularly the actuating hammers and the relation of the abutment pins to the pins on the playing tape or member.

Figure 13 is a detail view of a preferred mounting of the playing pins in the playing tape or member.

Referring to the drawings, in Figure 1 the main frame is made up of side members I and 2, suitably fastened together with tie bolts 3 and 4, the tie bolts being fastened to the upright side members I and 2 by the nuts 5. Sounding bells 8 are suitably fastened on channels 6, which also connect the side frame portions I and 2, by means of the bolts I. The sounding bells 8 are attached to the channels 6 by the bolts 9.

Suitably mounted below the bells 8 are two series of hammers I2 and I3 which are substantially V-shaped and suitably mounted on shafts II and II, which shafts are connected to the sides I and 2 of the main frame in any suitable fashion.

Hammers I2 and I3 are made of resilient metal and have striking portions I'2'a at their upper ends and portions I21) and I 3b connect the upright members on which the heads IZa and I3a are mounted, with the bearing portions I5 and I'3d rotatably mounted on the shafts II and II. The bearing portions of the hammers I2 have pins or abutment members 20 suitably fastened thereto and adapted to engage playing pins 33 on a playing tape 32 as hereinafter described.

Normally, the hammers I2 and I3 rest on suitable stops I4 to which felt I4a or other noise deadening pad has been fastened.

Since hammers i3 are mounted rearwardly in the frame with respect to hammers l2, they are carried by a shaft ll, similar to shaft II. The hammers I3 are of the same general conformation as the hammers l2 and have striking portions I30. at their upper ends, The bearing portions of the hammers I3 have upstanding ears [3a, to which are fastened forwardly extending links 16 pivoted at H on the hammers l3. Mounted on the shaft II are bearing portions 2| with downwardly extending abutment portions 22 adapted to engage the playing pins on the tape in a similar fashion to the abutment members 20 on the bearing portions l of the hammers l2. Since the hammers 13 are spaced on their bearings from the hammers l2, the bearing portions 2| have upstanding ears or lugs I9 to which are connected the levers l6 aforesaid, by the pivots I 8. Thereby, through the movement of the playing tape and the contact of the pins on the playing tape with the abutment members 22 of the bearing surfaces 2!, through the links Hi, the hammers l3 will be actuated in a manner similar to the hammers I2.

In Figure 5, an auxiliary frame, composed of the end members 23 and 24, suitably spaced by the tie bolts 25, and fastened by the nuts 26 on the tie bolts, is shown in relation to the main frame members I and 2. The auxiliary frame, generally designated A, is supported within the main frame on a shaft 29 of a main or driving roll 21, which has bearing surfaces in the auxiliary frame members 23 and 24 and similar bearing surfaces in the main frame members I and 2.

The endless playing tape or member 32 on which the playing pins 33 are mounted is shown as drivably mounted on the main drive roll 21 and the auxiliary roll 28, and is adapted to be driven through means hereinafter to be described. The playing tape is suitably guided on these rolls by the shoulders 21' and 28 respectively. To maintain the auxiliary frame in a suitable position for contact of the pins mounted thereon with the abutment members or pins 20 and 22, of the playing hammers, locking shafts 31 also engage the auxiliary frame members 23 and 24 and the main frame members I and 2. The shafts 31 are formed with locking portions 31a for the purposes to be hereinafter described.

In Figure 6 a locking member or plate 35 is shown as suitably fastened to the auxiliary frame member 24 by the bolts 34 which engage the elongated slots formed in the locking member 35. A lever 36 is pivotally engaged with the locking member 35 at 4|, and the locking member 35 has formed therein, openings 38 of keyhole formation, larger portions of which are adapted to move over the largest portions of the locking shafts 31 and smaller portions of which engage the locking portions 310. of the locking shafts 31. One end of the lever 36 is pivotally fastened to the locking member 35 at 42', the locking lever 36 being adapted to raise and lower the locking member 35 for the purposes hereinafter to be described.

The playing member or tape 32, on which the playing or actuating pins 33 are mounted is positioned for playing when the auxiliary frame A is moved by turning or adjusting screw 43, one end of the screw 43 being threadedly engaged with the auxiliary frame side member 24 and swivelly connected to rotate in the main frame member I for adjustment of the auxiliary frame in the manner to be hereinafter described.

The main or driving shaft 29 has a key 30 located therein for drivably engaging the main drive roll 21 in any one of its shifted positions. The auxiliary roll 28 is adjustably mounted for vertical movement in the auxiliary frame members 23 and 24 in journals 44, said journals adapted to be slidable in suitable openings 45, set screws '46 are provided for tensioning the playing tape and causing it to maintain its movement around the main driving roll.

Suitably mounted on the outer end of the main driving shaft 29 is a sprocket 41 over which a chain 48 travels, and engages a similar sprocket '29 on a shaft 53 which rotates in the frame member portion 5| of the main frame member I. On the other end of the shaft 56 is another sprocket 52 over which the chain 53 is adapted to be operated by a drive sprocket 54 on a suitable motor 55, said motor driving the main drive roll when it is desired to operate the main drive roll bypower means, the sprockets and chains acting as speed reducing driving means,

The drive shaft 29 may also be actuated by a suitable crank 56 when it is desired to operate the musical instrument by hand.

The playing tape or member 32 has located thereon the pins 33, before described, and these pins are located in rows a, b, and c, on the playing tape, as shown in Figure 5, any suitable number of rows a, b, and 0 being contemplated within the limits of practicality, for the purposes of this invention.

In the position of the row of pins 0 on the playing tape in Figure 5, the pins are so located on the tape as to provide a variation in the time of actuating the abutment members of the respective hammers l2 and I3, and it is seen that the pins will strike the abutment members of the respective hammers, or with which the respective hammers are connected, and perform the playing of the tune that is determined by the position of the pins 33 on the tape 32.

As the pins 33 are brought into their uppermost position at the top of the main or driving roll 21, they contact the abutment members 20 or 22 and cause the hammers to be raised in a counterclockwise position, and, as the pins go out of contact with the abutment members, the hammers are permitted to fall back to their normal positions, as shown in Figure 4, and strike the sounding bells 8 in the pre-arranged manner, as determined by the location of the playing pins 33 on the playing tape 32'.

As the hammers l2 and I3 return to their normal non-playing positions, as shown in Figure 4, the lower portions I21) and |3b strike against the felt pads Ma on the members I4, and the upper portions of hammers l2 and 13, being of a resilient material, they will be permitted to spring or flex, the hammer heads Hit and l3a striking momentarily the respective sounding bells to which they are directed.

In view of the fact that the heads |2a and I3q.

of hammers I2 and 13 when at rest, are spaced slightlyfrom the sounding bodies, the hammers must flex in order to strike the bells and the flexing is caused by the weight of the head and gravity acting on the head, thus eliminating any necessity for springs and effecting a more desirable tonal result.

By the continued operation of the playing tape over the driving roll and auxiliary roll, the hammers will be caused to be raised and allowed to fall back to strike the sounding bells, as before described.

Since the pins 32 are located in the rows (1, b, andc, it will be seen that by shifting the. rows a, b and c, longitudinally for contact with the respective abutment portions of the hammers, the different tunes being pre-arranged by the disposition of the pins 33- in the rows a, b, and c, on the tape 32, different tunes can be played when the pins of different rows of the pins are caused to contact the abutment portions of the playing hammers, or to which the hammers are connected. The movement of the rows a, b, and c. to effect this different movement of the hammers I2 and I3 is accomplished by rotating the adjusting screw 43 to the right for rightward movement or to the left to return the auxiliary frame.

Normally, the locking plate 35 is in its locking position, as shown in Figure 6, and thus the adjusting screw is not permitted to be operated. However, the raising of the lever 36 connected to the locking plate 35 will permit the movement of the whole auxiliary frame, along the locking shafts 31, generally designated as A, carrying with it the playing tape 32, to another position, bringing another row of pins in alignment with the abutment members of the hammers. The auxiliary frame is then locked in the new position by the downward movement of the lever 36 carrying with it the locking plate 35, and causing the male looking portions of the openings 33 to engage the locking portion 31a of the locking shafts 3! and thus the playing tape will be maintained in its new position, and the actuation of the hammers I2 and I3 by a different row of pins, as for instance, row I), may be caused to take place.

When it is desirable to change or remove the endless playing tape 32, from the musical instrument, the tension on the tape is released by loosening the set screws, which bear on the trunnions 45, and carry the auxiliary roll 28 by the shaft 3I.

A slide fastener 56, preferably of the zipper or Talon type is operated to separate the ends of the tape and permit the removal of the tape in a novel manner.

The playing tape 32, used for the purposes of my invention, must be flexible in order to actuate the abutment members of the respective hammers I2 and I3, as the tape moves over the main drive roll 21 and auxiliary roll 28. I preferably make my tape 32 of two layers 32a and 32b of flexible material or fabric, or the like, as shown in Figure 13. The inner layer 3211 which contacts the rolls 2! and 28 is of a suitable length and width for the purposes herein described, and is bonded to an outer layer 32b in which holes 320 have been pierced according to the desired arrangement for playing a tune, and in these holes the pins 33 are positioned. The pins have, integral therewith, heads 33 which rest on the bottom or inner layer 32a and protrude through the holes 320. In this manner, the heads of the pin are retained between the layers and the abutting portion of the pins protrudes outwardly from the tape to contact the respective abutment pins that actuate the hammers I2 and I3.

In order to protect the playing tape from foreign matter, and from being subject to tearing, or other mutilation of the tape, a cover plate 51 of substantially a U-shape is placed around the entire playing tape, but leaving an opening at the top thereof, as shown in Figure 4, through which. the pins 33 on the playing tape 32 may contact the abutting members of the hammers. The cover plate is suitably fastened to the tie rods 25 of the auxiliary frame and maintained in contact therewith by ears 59 pierced outv of the cover plate, and adapted to be snapped into place on the tie rods.

The operation of the musical instrument above described may be more clearly understood from the following detailed cycle of operation.

The actuation of the main or driving shaft 28' is accomplished through the means of the gear and chain combination disclosed in Figure 3, or, as before described, a handle member 55 may be used to rotate the main driving roll and the tape mounted thereon in connection with the auxiliary driving roll 28. As the main driving roll shaft is rotated, and taking for example Figure 5, the row of pins 0 is seen to be aligned with the abutting portions of the respective hammer members I2 and I3 and adapted to coact therewith by the rotation of the main driving roll; and when the main driving roll is rotated, the pins 33 on the tape 32 come in contact with the abutting members of the aforesaid hammers I2 and I3 and raise certain of these hammers at certain times; and as the pins on the tape proceed around the main driving roll, the abutting members on the hammers, or in connection with the hammers, are permitted to fall and thus allow the hammers proper I2 and I3 to fall and the heads I2a and I3a to flex forwardly and strike the bells 8 in a manner determined by the spacing of the pins 33 on the playing tape 32.

It Will be seen that suitably spacing these pins either farther apart or closer together in their respective rows 0, will cause the actuation of the hammers at different times and produce the tune desired.

It is, of course, understood. that the bells 8 of the musical instrument have different tone qualities, and consequently, when they are struck by the hammer heads IZa and I3a, will produce different tones.

In order to bring into action a different musical composition, as outlined by the spacing of the pins 33 in the rows a, b, and c pn the playing tape 32, the auxiliary frame may be moved in a longitudinal direction by the releasing of the locking means or plate 35, this being accomplished by raising-the locking lever 36 and disengaging the locking portion of the keyhole section 33 of the locking plate from the mating portion 31a in the locking shafts 31, and then the set screw 43, which is threadedly engaged with the auxiliary frame member 24 and swivelly engaged with the main frame member I, is actuated by the crank, and rotating the screw in a right hand direction will move the auxiliary frame as a unit to the right. When the auxiliary frame locking plate 35 has been brought into alignment with the next locking portion 31a of the locking shaft, the locking plate is then returned to its normal locked position, as shown in Figure 6, and the next row of the pins b has been brought into alignment for coaction with the abutting members of the respective hammers I2 and I3.

In view of the fact that the pins 33 in the rows b are in all probability of a different spacing than those in the row 0 aforesaid, a different tune from the first mentioned may be played, the coaction between the pins on the tape and the abutting members of the hammers being the same as that in the first mentioned description of the operation of the pins in the row c.

From the above, it will be seen that by locating the number of pins in rows, as a, b and 0, several different compositions may be contemplated within the purview of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a musical instrument of the class described, in combination, an outer main frame, an inner auxiliary frame supported therein, guide means intermediate the auxiliary frame and the main frame for guiding the movement of the auxiliary frame when shifted within the main frame, sound producing bodies, hammers cooperating with the sound producing bodies, playing means carried by the auxiliary frame and shiftable therewith, said playing means comprising members cooperative with the hammers for actuation thereof, said playing members being arranged in separate series upon the playing means so that playing members of each series may be brought into cooperation with certain hammers according to the adjustment of the auxiliary frame and playing means relatively to the main frame, operating mechanism for the playing means, a locking member carried by the main frame and relative to which the auxiliary frame is movable, and a locking plate mounted upon the auxiliary frame and movable into and out of engagement with the locking member so as to hold the auxiliary frame in different positions maintaining predetermined playing members on the playing means in a path of travel for cooperation with certain hammers. I

2. A musical instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking member comprises a part having locking recesses each having relation to playing members of each series on the playing means, the locking plate being mounted to move upon the auxiliary frame so as to interengage any one of said locking recesses.

3. In aplaying instrument of the class described, in combination, an outer main frame, and inner auxiliary frame, rollers carried by the auxiliary frame at the top and bottom thereof, a playing tape passing around said rollers, different series of playing members carried by the tape, sound producing bodies on the main frame, hammers for operating the sound producing bodies and cooperative With the playing members on the playing tape, stationary locking members mounted on the main frame and in spaced relation, a locking plate slidable upon the auxiliary frame and shiftable thereon into and out of engagement with the locking members aforesaid to hold the auxiliary frame and playing tape in adjusted positions with predetermined ones of each series of playing members adapted for cooperation with certain of the hammers.

4. A playing instrument as claimed in claim 3, in which the locking members comprise shafts slidable through bearings in the auxiliary frame for guiding the movement of said auxiliary frame and playing tape thereon as the latter is shifted to different positions for locking by the locking plate, and operating means for the playing tape.

5. A playing instrument as claimed in claim 3, in which the locking members comprise shafts slidable through bearings in the auxiliary frame for guiding the movement of said auxiliary frame and playing tape thereon as the latter is shifted to different positions for locking by the locking plate, operating means for the playing tape comprising rollers supporting the playing tape for travel therearound in its operating movement for action of the playing members thereof, driving means for one of said rollers including a shaft supported in bearings on the main frame and carrying one of said rollers, and means connecting the last mentioned roller and said shaft for relative sliding movement and for causing rotation of the roller with the shaft.

6. In a playing instrument of the class described, in combination, a main frame, tone producing bodies thereon, hammers cooperating with said bodies and comprising approximately V- shaped body portions of resilient material, pivotal supporting means connected with the outer ends of corresponding arms of the said hammers, heads at the outer ends of the corresponding other arms of the hammer, and cushion means cooperating with the arms of the hammers which are directly pivoted to the pivot means aforesaid for abutment with said arms while the hammers are spaced from the sound producing bodies, whereby the resilient head carrying arms of the hammers are caused to strike the said bodies as an incident to resilient movement thereof.

7. In a musical instrument of the class described, in combination, a sound producing body, a hammer coacting therewith and comprising a head carrying arm and a pivoted arm, a pivotal support for the pivoted arm, the said hammer being made with the head carrying arm of resilient material and cushion means, the head of the head carrying arm will be caused to strike the sound producing body as permitted by the resilient movement thereof.

W'LADIM'IR J. OWCZYNIKOW. 

